Two OSU professors receive Regents' teaching, research awards
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
TULSA, Okla. – An anatomy professor and a researcher studying pain relief are the
recipients of this year’s Regents’ 2007 Distinguished Teaching Award and Regents’
2007 Distinguished Research award at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences.
William D. Meek., Ph.D., professor of anatomy, received the Regents’ 2007 Distinguished
Teaching Award. The award is given for unusually significant and meritorious achievement
in the instruction of students as evidenced by quality classroom learning experience,
high scholarly standards, direct impact upon and involvement with students, and serving
as a mentor or role model to other faculty. Dr. Meek is vice-chair of the Department
of Anatomy and Cell Biology
Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D., associate professor of anatomy and cell biology, received
the Regents’ 2007 Distinguished Research Award given for outstanding and meritorious
achievements in research, a distinguished record of past and continuing excellence
in research, and recognition nationally and internationally. Much of Dr. Miller’s
research career has revolved around pain and spinal cord injury particularly in regard
to glutamate metabolism. From his research, he has discovered that sensory nerve endings
during chronic inflammation have immense amounts of glutamate. Blocking glutamate
production in these nerve endings provides for long-lasting pain relief.